Startup Workbook

[Kent]

I have preferred format for my start-up workbook. I have it saved in the
book.xlt file the XLSTART folder. I recently changed machines. I save my
book.xlt to the xlstart folder but I now get a different file when excel
starts up. The book.xlt works fine when adding a new workbook, the only
problem is the startup file. Any ideas?

 

[Dave Peterson]

Do you have anyting in the tools|Options|General tab
"At startup, open all files in" box?

If yes, then empty this box.

What else is in that XLStart folder?

Do you have any other XLStart folders on this pc. Excel is pretty smart and
knows where to check--especially if you've upgraded through different versions.

 

[Kent]

Dave,

I tried both of your suggestions and no luck. I don't have anything in the
"At startup, open all files in" box and have nothing else in the XLSTART
folder.

I have had this problem before when changing machines but I can not remember
how I corrected it. I am using a laptop that someone else was set up on
previously.

When Excel starts the file that displays is labeled Book1 instead of Book.
Does that mean anything?

Thanks,
Kent

 

[Kent]

I also searched for other XLSTART folders. There was another one under
username/application data/microsoft/excel. It was empty and I deleted the
folder. Still same result at startup.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Kent

Book.xlt will not open upon startup.

This is a Template(*.xlt) and only appears when adding a new workbook.

Make a copy of that book.xlt and save as a regular *.xls file........startup.xls

Store this workbook in the XLSTART folder usually located at........

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Kent]

I tried that and I now get 2 workbooks opening at startup. The startup.xls
file has my preferred formating but the book1.xls has the Excel defaults. Do
you know how I can make the default file not appear at startup?

Thanks,
Kent

 

[Dave Peterson]

Move startup.xls out of your XLStart folder. But save a copy as Book.xlt (a
template) in your XLStart folder.

If you really have book1.xls in your XLStart folder, move it somewhere else.

Book.xlt in the XLStart folder is the template that excel uses to create a new
workbook when you click on that New Icon on the standard toolbar.

 

[Kent]

Dave,

I tried that but no luck. On my previous laptop I had book.xlt with my
preferred format in my XLSTART folder and when Excel started the default
format was what I wanted. Now no matter what I do I get a book1.xls file with
the wrong format when I open Excel.

Thanks,
Kent

 

[Dave Peterson]

Is that workbook really named book1.xls--with the extension?

If yes, then excel is opening a workbook named book1.xls.

Put this in any unused cell:
=cell("filename",a1)

And make note of the location.

Close excel. Move or delete that file and restart excel to test it.

 

[Kent]

Dave,

No the workbook is not actually named book1.xls, it just shows as book1.
I tried searching for a book1.xls or book.xls on my computer and cannot find
one.

What I don't understand is why if put only a book.xls file in my XLSTART
folder, I get 2 files at start up, a book and a book1. The book file has my
preferred format, book1 has the defaults.

If I put only a book.xlt in XLSTART, I only get one file but it is book1
with the default format. If I have book.xlt in XLSTART, I do get my
preferred format whenever I create a new workbook, it is only the startup
file that is a problem.

Thanks,
Kent

 

[Dave Peterson]

First, there's a windows setting that you can toggle to make sure you can see
the extensions. (It could make it easier to know what's going on.)

Open Windows explorer
tools|Folder Options|View Tab
Scroll down to make sure that "hide extensions for known file types" is not
checked.

==========
If you have book.xls in your XLStart folder, excel knows that you want that file
opened when you start excel. That file will be called book.xls (you'll see book
in the title bar if you don't have extensions showing).

But when I have book.xls in my XLStart folder, then excel doesn't create a new
workbook based on book1.xlt (that template file).

Are you sure you don't have another XLStart on your pc?

Dave,

No the workbook is not actually named book1.xls, it just shows as book1.
I tried searching for a book1.xls or book.xls on my computer and cannot find
one.

What I don't understand is why if put only a book.xls file in my XLSTART
folder, I get 2 files at start up, a book and a book1. The book file has my
preferred format, book1 has the defaults.

If I put only a book.xlt in XLSTART, I only get one file but it is book1
with the default format. If I have book.xlt in XLSTART, I do get my
preferred format whenever I create a new workbook, it is only the startup
file that is a problem.

Thanks,
Kent

 

[Gord Dibben]

Kent

To stop Book1.xls from opening, append /e to your Excel shortcut.

i.e. "C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE" /e


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

Dave,

No the workbook is not actually named book1.xls, it just shows as book1.
I tried searching for a book1.xls or book.xls on my computer and cannot find
one.

What I don't understand is why if put only a book.xls file in my XLSTART
folder, I get 2 files at start up, a book and a book1. The book file has my
preferred format, book1 has the defaults.

If I put only a book.xlt in XLSTART, I only get one file but it is book1
with the default format. If I have book.xlt in XLSTART, I do get my
preferred format whenever I create a new workbook, it is only the startup
file that is a problem.

Thanks,
Kent

Is that workbook really named book1.xls--with the extension?

If yes, then excel is opening a workbook named book1.xls.

Put this in any unused cell:
=cell("filename",a1)

And make note of the location.

Close excel. Move or delete that file and restart excel to test it.

Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Kent]

Dave,

I did that and can now see the extensions. My preferred format is saved in
XLSTART in a book.xls file and also in a book.xlt file. I have tried deleting
the book.xlt file and the results are the same.

When Excel starts 2 files appear, book.xls with my format and book1 with no
extension with the default format. The book1 file opens first.

I have serached for another XLSTART folder but cannot find one.

Thanks,
Kent

 

[Kent]

Gord,

I tried that but it still opens.

Thanks,
Kent

 

[Dave Peterson]

So why not delete that book.xls file and put all your preferred settings in
book.xlt?

Dave,

I did that and can now see the extensions. My preferred format is saved in
XLSTART in a book.xls file and also in a book.xlt file. I have tried deleting
the book.xlt file and the results are the same.

When Excel starts 2 files appear, book.xls with my format and book1 with no
extension with the default format. The book1 file opens first.

I have serached for another XLSTART folder but cannot find one.

Thanks,
Kent

 

[Kent]

Dave,

When I delete book.xls, even though my preferred settings are saved in
book.xlt Excel still opens only with the default settings in a file named
book1. If I add a new workbook it has my preferred settings and has a name of
book2.

One thing I've noticed, when I close book1 it asks if I want to save
changes. If I close book2 it does not ask if i want to save changes.

Thanks,
Kent

 

[Dave Peterson]

I would guess that there's been a change made to that unsaved book1 (no .xls
extension).

Since that template file was the basis for book2 (still no extension) and you
don't get prompted when you close that, it sounds (to me) that that's the only
possibility.

Dave,

When I delete book.xls, even though my preferred settings are saved in
book.xlt Excel still opens only with the default settings in a file named
book1. If I add a new workbook it has my preferred settings and has a name of
book2.

One thing I've noticed, when I close book1 it asks if I want to save
changes. If I close book2 it does not ask if i want to save changes.

Thanks,
Kent